For me it would probably be the "Flowers in the Attic" series by V.C. Andrew. That whole series was extremely disturbing.

I also really hate what I call "what may come..." books. You know like "1984" by George Orwell,
"Brave New World" by Aulous Huxley, and even to a certain extent "The Hunger Games" Trilogy by Suzanne Collins.

I find a number of books disturbing but in different ways. Olivia, I guess I want to know why you find each of the books you mentioned disturbing. (Feel free to ignore the request if you don't feel like answering.)

For me, when a book, study or paper is intellectually disturbing is because it has upset some bit of understanding I had. It forces me to reexamine what I think I know in the light of new evidence. I do find it disturbing but also enlivening. I like the reminder that there is always more to understand, and that even the things I think are most certain are open to new evidence. Other books disturb me emotionally. Books that cause me to feel something like disgust, I tend to examine very closely. I don't immerse myself in feelings like that easily. There has to be a bloody good reason (something important to learn) for me to willingly put myself in the way of disgust or feelings like that.

I remember reading that series. Even though i did find Flowers In The Attic is bit dark i did enjoy it. Did you see the movie?

MaryLupin wrote:I find a number of books disturbing but in different ways. Olivia, I guess I want to know why you find each of the books you mentioned disturbing. (Feel free to ignore the request if you don't feel like answering.) .

I don't mind answering : )

"The Flowers in the Attic" books were disturbing for many different reasons. First, the treatment of the kids in the first book. That was terrible. Another reason, and this was a big one for me, the incestuous relationship between brother and sister.

The "what may come..." books are disturbing because it's scary to think that these author's idea's are what the world could really turn into. Reading "1984" now is really eery.

Vanessa I haven't seen the movie yet.

Wow, Mary it is so great to see you again! You have been missed!

The Painted Bird hands down. I was more disturbed when I found it was a true story

Crime and Punishment. I think Raskolnikov was more right than I should.

Helter Skelter immediately comes to mind!

Off the top of my head probably Lolita and American Psycho both for obvious reasons (that's if you've read them of course!). I've never heard of The Painted Bird, what is it about?

I am very surprised that no one has said, "The Bible."

Perhaps not many of you have read it. Anyone who does SHOULD be disturbed by it.